30 West Hill Road, West Cliff, Bournemouth, United Kingdom | (888) 635-3814
In a tastefully renovated historic building on a quiet residential street
Elegant and chic decor throughout; some rooms have balconies
Fine-dining restaurant and more casual brasserie
Acclaimed spa with indoor pool, sauna, and steam room
Courtyard garden
10-minute walk from the beach and town center
Free parking
Free Wi-Fi
Five meeting rooms and a conference center
Some of the rooms are small
Breakfast not included in most rates
Neither on the beach nor in the city center
This upscale, 56-room chain hotel, located in an historic
building, is a cozy place to stay just a few blocks from Bournemouth's beach. Renovated in 2013, the hotel's interiors are elegant and refined, with subtle Art Deco furnishings and some original features. There are two high-end restaurants, and the excellent spa and indoor swimming pool attract many guests. Bournemouth's beach and town center are each a 10-minute walk away, and
the hotel also offers free parking, which can be hard to come by in this town.
Rooms are simply and elegantly decorated, although many are on the small side. While it's not
right in the town center, the hotel's rates offer good value for those who will make use of
the on-site facilities.
Scene
An elegant mix of old and new decor in a restored 1850s residence
Green ivy and baskets of colorful flowers adorn the outside of this 1850s
property, originally built as a private residence. The lobby is light, bright, and stylish, with taupe wood paneling
and polished, cream tile floors. Chesterfield-style leather chairs provide fireside seating,
and Art Deco-style mirrored furniture, topped with lamps and white orchids, lends an elegant atmosphere. A
large skylight floods the rooms with natural light. Some original features of
the hotel still remain, such as the large open fireplace. There’s a
private outdoor courtyard with a brick patio, stone statues, and perfectly manicured gardens. The
hotel is popular with both tourists and business guests, and has a tranquil
atmosphere.
Location
In Bournemouth’s West Cliff area, walkable to the major attractions
The Connaught is set on a fairly quiet residential road that houses many bed-and-breakfast-style hotels. It’s on a steep hill, so walking
down into town is easy but be prepared for a workout on the walk back
up. While it’s not right in the town center, the hotel is well-placed for
exploring Bournemouth as many attractions are within a 10-minute walk, including the beach, the pier, plenty of bars and restaurants, Bournemouth
International Centre, the town square, Bournemouth Lower Gardens, and the Oceanarium.
Bournemouth Airport is a 10-minute drive away. Free parking is available
for hotel guests, although spaces are limited and given on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Rooms
Simple and elegant, some small and others larger with private balconies
Standard rooms at the Connaught are on the small side, with rooms getting larger the higher the category. In the smallest rooms, there's not a great deal of
room to walk around the bed, and closet space is limited; larger rooms and suites are significantly larger, with large windows and private sitting areas. All rooms are decorated simply but elegantly, drawing on the building's Victorian history in dark wooden furniture and a feature wall boldly painted a terra cotta hue. Bathrooms are small, too, but are similarly clean and modern with signature toiletries and either walk-in showers, combination shower/tubs, or -- in suites and specialty rooms -- separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Some rooms have balconies,
and all have free Wi-Fi, a desk, a flat-screen TV with
satellite channels, and free mineral water, tea- and coffee-making facilities,
and biscuits.
Features
An acclaimed spa with a pool, high-end dining options, private garden, business facilities
One of the highlights of the Connaught is its spa: it has three treatment rooms, a sauna, spa tub, and a steam room. There’s also a
small fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. The area is spotlessly clean and well-maintained. There are two restaurants and two bars
on-site. Blakes is a fine-dining restaurant that overlooks the hotel’s garden and serves modern British cuisine for breakfast and dinner. Meals can be served
in the hotel's garden during warmer months. There’s also a brasserie, which serves
brunch, lunch, and dinner in a less formal setting. Breakfast -- both continental and à la carte -- is not included
in most room rates, but it's a good value, with a range of options. 24-hour room service is available too, as is a computer station in the lobby. Business travelers are catered to, as well, with five meeting
rooms and a conference center.